How to get started with part-time freelance design

July 18, 2006 11:38 AM

I'm looking to do some part-time, on-the-side freelance design to provide some additional income. What are your suggestions for getting started? Where should I look for jobs?
posted by markcholden to work & money (6 comments total)

What type of stuff have you done in the past? Web only? Print? Production?
posted by mattbucher at 11:45 AM on July 18, 2006

What kind of skills do you have? Past work experience? Hobbies/interests?
posted by junesix at 11:50 AM on July 18, 2006

My girlfriend is a full-time stay-at-home mother and part-time graphic designer. She gets as much work as she wants by throwing an ad or two up per week on craigslist. A number of other designers I know have had the same experience. Just put a link to some kind of portfolio page into the ad.
posted by lekvar at 12:06 PM on July 18, 2006

Have you trying searching on rent a coder or Get A Free Lancer ? Might be able to bid for jobs there.
posted by bleucube at 12:15 PM on July 18, 2006

Unless you live in a 3rd world country and don't like more than $0.50/hr - don't use rent a coder or Get A Free Lancer.

I only landed a single gig on RAC - and this was after two full days of trying to land gigs.

You'll be undercut by $1 - or have people willing to work for pennies.

Find local work
posted by jimmy0x52 at 12:19 PM on July 18, 2006

I run a blog on becoming a consultant and I've been a consultant for a decade. About 2/3 of my clients are people I know from companies where I was previously a full-time employee. Having people you know as your clients is good. You should already have some sense of their style, expectations, ethics and the like. People in your immediate or even semi-immediate social network are less likely to run off without paying you. And, since they already like you, they are more likely to act as a reference later.

You can certainly run ads, do direct mail, put up a website, post on forums or do something on Craigslist. But then you're dealing with unknown people. You've got to invest more time in learning about them, setting up contracts (they need to be more bullet proof), and chasing after delinquent accounts. (Mind you, some of my best clients came to me through these channels.)

Since you're just starting out, you should go after low-hanging fruit. Let your network know that you're looking for freelance work -- give specific examples. I don't recommend telling your employer or discussing anything at your current place of work. Some employers frown upon moonlighting and I'm not familiar with the employment laws where you live.

If your network is small, try using Linked In, your alumni network, friends of friends, etc. You can also look at going to professional association meetings and building up contacts that way.
posted by acoutu at 1:25 PM on July 18, 2006 [2 favorites has favorites]